Danio frankei, commonly known as the Leopard Danio, is a small, active, and peaceful fish ideal for community tanks.
Overview
Danio frankei, commonly known as the Leopard Danio, is a popular aquarium species due to its small size, peaceful nature, and attractive spotted pattern. Originating from the freshwater streams of Southeast Asia, these fish are easy to care for, making them great for beginners.
They grow to a size of 4-6 cm and have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. Their lively and social behavior makes them an excellent addition to community aquariums.
Tank Requirements
Danio frankei are active swimmers, so a tank with a minimum volume of 50 liters is recommended. They prefer water temperatures between 18-26°C, with a GH of 5-15 and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
It’s important to provide ample swimming space, along with some plants and hiding spots to mimic their natural habitat. A filter with moderate water flow will help simulate the streams where they are typically found.
Feeding and Diet
These omnivores will accept a wide variety of foods. High-quality flakes or pellets should form the staple of their diet, but they will also benefit from supplemental feedings of live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
For balanced nutrition, you can occasionally offer them small vegetable-based foods like blanched spinach or zucchini.
Care and Maintenance
Danio frankei are hardy fish and relatively undemanding when it comes to care. Regular water changes, proper filtration, and maintaining stable water parameters will keep them healthy and active.
Because they are shoaling fish, it is best to keep them in groups of six or more. This not only reduces stress but also encourages their natural schooling behavior.
Compatibility
Leopard Danios are peaceful and can be kept with a variety of other community fish, including tetras, rasboras, and small catfish species. Avoid pairing them with large or aggressive fish that may bully or outcompete them for food.
They are especially well-suited to aquariums with other similarly-sized species that share their need for slightly cooler water temperatures.
Breeding
Breeding Danio frankei is fairly straightforward. They are egg scatterers, and the female will lay eggs among plants or in gravel. To increase the chances of survival, it's best to move the adults to a breeding tank and remove them once eggs are laid, as they may eat the eggs.
The eggs hatch in about 2-3 days, and the fry can be fed finely crushed flake food or infusoria until they are large enough to eat baby brine shrimp.